Youth Chat face-to-face with PM Douglas

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER 100 young persons clamoured at the opportunity to dialogue with Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas and other top government officials at Wednesday’s (Mar. 25) Youth Chat at the Ocean Terrace Inn.

The Youth Department’s initiative brought together  a number of persons ranging from secondary school students to employed young professionals and entrepreneurs. According to Youth Director Geoffrey Hanley, the night’s objective was to facilitate youth-to-youth and youth-to-government interaction.

The event was divided into two segments; a youth panel discussion on various issues affecting youth and an open floor dialogue where persons raised concerns and forwarded recommendations to Douglas and his colleagues.

The youth panellists addressed matters including crime and violence, sports and extracurricular activities, and existing opportunities within small business enterprises and education.

A lively discussion ensued afterward among the assembled persons, panellists and government ministers, which included Douglas, Deputy PM the Hon. Sam Condor and Minister of State the Hon. Nigel Carty. Concerns and suggestions were voiced on the dissemination of information, national pride, scholarship opportunities and youth entrepreneurship.

In wrapping up the discussion, Douglas thanked the participants for their participation and spoke glowingly of the contribution made by the gathering.

“I am convinced the youth of this country have a very firm grasp of the challenges we face and are prepared to provide some of the solutions. That you are here tonight demonstrates your interest in and commitment to the advancement of our Federation. It is this attitude we need if we are to move forward as a country,” he declared. 

Barrister-at-law Jihan Williams, who also moderated the evening’s first segment, stated that she thought the evening had been relatively successful. She however noted that the discussion was not as rousing as it could have been and attributed this to a feeling of intimidation by some of those present.

“I hate it when young persons don’t take advantage of their opportunities. This was a prime one; to speak face-to-face with the Prime Minister and tell him how you feel about the direction his government has taken the country in. Persons shouldn’t be afraid to speak up. This is their country too,” she asserted.

The lawyer and youth activist issued a challenge to government officials and young persons alike.

“The momentum cannot stop here; we have to see some tangible results from the ideas put forward here tonight by the youth and from those put forward by other young persons at similar events. By now we are all aware of the youth perspective on many of the issues discussed tonight, such as crime and violence. It’s time we stop talking and actually do something,” said Williams.